CIRCUMCISION

Below is the text version of NORM's tri-fold brochure Why
Should I Restore?. You may download the PDF version of this brochure here
to print it in it's original format. You may make and distribute as many
copies as you with as long as the original document is not altered in any
way.

I'm Not Missing Anything by Being Circumcised;Why Should I Restore?

With no accurate means of comparison, the typical circumcised man
does not know what he is missing. A man, colorblind from birth and
thinking his sight is normal, might also never question his condition.
However, as a man ages, he loses sensitivity of the penis. Many men have
difficulty achieving sufficient stimulation to reach orgasm. The
foreskin is a definite asset in maintaining this sensitivity.

Foreskin restoration is a logical process of returning the penis to as
close to its original condition as possible. However, it can be
frustrating, time-consuming and care must be taken not to use undue
force.

While the majority of circumcised men are unconscious of, or deny any negative feelings about circumcision, a significant number in the U.S.
and around the world are aware of their feeling of loss, resentment
and betrayal by parents and anger over this violation of their
bodies.

When one understands the anatomy of a normal penis, the structure and
function of the foreskin, the historical and cultural context of
circumcision and the truth behind the myths, one can better understand
men's feelings and motivations for restoration. Our message to men is
that it is acceptable to care for our bodies in this way.

The Foreskin is a Normal, Healthy and Beneficial
Part of the Penis

The foreskin consists of at least three structures: an outer foreskin,
inner foreskin and the frenulum. It begins as far back as the shaft
midpoint, covers the glans (head of the penis), and can extend beyond
the glans. The frenulum (similar to that which is under the tongue)
connects the foreskin to the underside. The foreskin and glans are
joined by a common membrane and separate gradually. For some, the
process is not complete until puberty.

The Purpose and Function of the Foreskin

Protection. The foreskin protects the sensitive glans
throughout life from adverse conditions, such as the abrasiveness of
clothing. Without the foreskin, the glans becomes dry and calloused and
desensitized.

Pleasure. The foreskin is a unique structure filled with
delicate nerves and a rich blood supply. The foreskin enhances sexual
pleasure, especially as it glides over the corona (ridge of the glans)
during sexual activity.

Sensitivity. The foreskin is a highly nerve-laden
structure, containing approximately 10,000 nerve endings. It is this
structure that gives the man his most pleasurable sensations. It also
helps to retain glans sensitivity. Circumcision removed this
structure and over time sensitivity decreases, making it more
difficult to achieve satisfactory stimulation.

Lubrication. Much as the way your eyelid lubricates and
protects your eye, the foreskin keeps the glans moist and sensitive.
This effect is helpful during sexual penetration as the penile shaft
glides within its own skin sheath rather than directly, chafing one's
partner. Without the foreskin, many couples need additional
lubricants.

Privacy. Like the female clitoris, the glans is designed
to be a protected internal organ, exposed only when aroused.

Why Men Restore Their Foreskins

Pleasure. The new foreskin adds pleasure to the penis
during sexual activity. For most men seeking restoration, this alone
is reason enough to restore.

Protection. The foreskin protects the glans from the
abrasiveness of clothing. When protected, the glans will regain much
of its original sensitivity.

Privacy. Like the female clitoris, the glans penis is
intended to be an internal organ, visible only when aroused.

Aesthetics. 85% of the world's men feel an intact penis
is normal, natural and attractive.

Wholeness. When seeing their circumcision scar, many men
sense that part of their body is missing, which is very similar to
women who have had a breast removed. Seeking physical and emotional
wholeness is quite natural.

Emotional pain. When feeling hopeless over their
unchosen circumcised state, men can be helped to manage anger by doing
something about a condition which they had always believed was
irreversible.

Resentment. A 1991 survey of 301 males seeking
restoration information showed that almost 70% of those circumcised as
infants or children resent their parents for their circumcision.
Regaining power over their bodies reduces resentment.

Empowerment. Victims of rape, crime and child or spousal
abuse typically report a deep sense of helplessness and vulnerability.
Who is more helpless and vulnerable than a restrained newborn having
part of his penis amputated? Men restore to take back control of their
bodies from the damage done by parents, their physicians and our
culture.

Restoration isn't sought only by those circumcised at birth. Some
children are unwillingly circumcised. Others are pressured "for
their own good" by friends, sex partners, or military. Some
immigrants circumcise themselves or their sons "to be
American." Afterwards, most males note a marked decrease of
sensitivity, which lead some to restore.

How is Restoration Done?

Once circumcised, one can only approximate the look and feel of an
original foreskin through restoration. For most men, however, this
approximation is preferable to their circumcised state. Non-surgical
stretching of the shaft skin is the most commonly used method. Many
have achieved excellent results, with total coverage of the glans and
the appearance of never having been circumcised. The skin and underlying
muscle, nerves, and connective tissue have an amazing ability to grow if
gentle tension is maintained over time.

Taping. Using whichever type of first aid tape that
works best on your skin, one pulls whatever shaft skin you have over
the glans and tapes it closed. Gentle pressure from the glans will
start stretching the skin.

Manually. Other men use gentle manual stretching of the
shaft skin on a daily basis.

Extension Devices. When sufficient skin length has been
obtained, various extension devices (weights, elastic straps, cones,
etc.) can be used to augment the stretching.

Surgery. Surgical reconstruction is not recommended.
Surgery may seem to be faster, but it is riskier, with results that
are usually less than satisfactory. It is costly and does not have good
results in most cases. No safe, effective, surgical techniques have been
developed. See our page on surgery for
more information.

Many men who achieve their desired amount of foreskin through manual
tugging, taping, using a restoration device or other methods may then seek minor touch-up surgery to contour the tip
of the foreskin for a more natural snug fit and/or to attempt reconstruction
of the
frenulum. NORM maintains a list of medical referrals for those who are
interested in touch-up surgery after the foreskin restoration process has been
completed. Remember though that as with any surgery there is the
risk of something going wrong.

How Long Does It Take?

The time it takes to recover the glans varies. The factors that
influence the nonsurgical stretching methods include: how much shaft
skin remains after circumcision, how diligent and persistent one is
with stretching, and the amount of foreskin coverage desired. For
these reasons, some men achieve restoration' after months, while for
others, it can take several years.

Since the process of restoration can be lengthy and involved, many men
find it helpful to join a support group for the technical and moral
support offered by such a group. See our NORM Locations
page for a group near you.

What Is Circumcision?

Circumcision is the removal of some or all of a newborn's foreskin
and frenulum. It is the only commonly performed surgery in the western
world done without a patient's consent to prevent future medical
problems. It is unethical for the reason that it violates the medical
dictum of "do no harm" among other reasons. Parents often consent with incomplete knowledge of anatomy,
surgical risks, and future complications. Tragically, many infants (who we know feel pain
acutely) receive no anesthesia or postoperative pain relief. There are
several methods used to circumcise baby boy, most are generally as
follows. First the baby's arms and legs are
restrained. A metal probe is inserted between the glans and the foreskin and
the two structures are torn apart. The foreskin is crushed and a cut
is made in it. It is then pulled forward and amputated. The raw glans
is then totally exposed, which, along with the remaining inner
foreskin, which eventually becomes a dried membrane and leaves the shaft skin
taut and immobile when erect.

This "Little snip" removes from 50 to 80% of the sheath's
structure. A permanent, visible scar remains. This violation of bodily
and human rights robs the male of his birthright: an intact, fully
functional penis.

History of Circumcision in America

Routine circumcision in the U.S. was not widely practiced until the
late 1800's, introduced from England to cure masturbation (then
thought to cause insanity and other medical/psychological ills).
England rejected routine circumcision in 1949. When the masturbation
theory was disproved, the medical profession used hygiene, cancer,
infection and now AIDS, to justify the procedure. There is, in fact,
no valid medical evidence to justify routine infant circumcision.

Medical professionals are slow to abolish a surgery producing millions
of dollars annually. Men's Voices show that the medical community
violates its prime dictum, Do No Harm.